Afterward or afterwards are both correct spellings of an adverb meaning “later” or “after that.” The difference involves regional preference, not meaning or basic grammar. American English generally favors afterward, while British English usually favors afterwards.
That final s does not change the word’s function. However, matching your audience and using one form consistently can make an essay, email, article, or report look more polished.
Quick Answer
Both afterward and afterwards mean “at a later time,” and both are grammatically correct. Use afterward for most American writing and afterwards for British writing. Canadian and Australian preferences can vary, so follow the publication’s style when one exists. Whichever form you select, use it consistently within the same document.
Key Takeaways
- Both spellings mean “later” or “after that.”
- American English usually prefers afterward.
- British English usually prefers afterwards.
- Both words function as adverbs of time.
- The final s does not change the meaning.
- Consistent spelling matters more than an isolated variation.
Afterward and Afterwards at a Glance
| Form | Meaning | Grammatical Role | Common Preference | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afterward | Later; after that | Adverb | American English | We ate dinner afterward. |
| Afterwards | Later; after that | Adverb | British English | We ate dinner afterwards. |
| After | Later than an event or time | Preposition, conjunction, or adverb | All varieties | We left after dinner. |
| Afterword | A concluding section in a book | Noun | All varieties | The author added an afterword. |
What Do Afterward and Afterwards Mean?
Afterward and afterwards mean “at a later time” or “following an event already mentioned.” They tell the reader when something happened, so grammarians classify them as adverbs of time.
Consider these sentences:
- We finished the meeting and talked privately afterward.
- We finished the meeting and talked privately afterwards.
Both sentences communicate the same sequence. First, the meeting ended. Then, the private conversation occurred. The spelling does not change the timing, tone, or relationship between the events.
Merriam-Webster defines afterward as occurring at a later or succeeding time
and lists afterwards as a variant. This dictionary treatment confirms that the two forms share one core meaning rather than representing separate grammatical categories.
Unlike many confusing word pairs, these words are not opposites and do not describe different types of action. Therefore, the choice rests mainly on regional writing conventions.
The Main Difference Is Regional Preference
The main difference between afterward or afterwards is where each form appears more often. U.S. writers generally use the version without s. Writers in the United Kingdom commonly use the form ending in s.
| English Variety | Usually Preferred | Is the Other Form Wrong? |
|---|---|---|
| American English | afterward | No |
| British English | afterwards | No |
| Canadian English | Both appear | No |
| Australian English | afterwards is common | No |
| International English | Depends on house style | No |
These are tendencies, not hard borders. An American writer who uses afterwards has not made a grammatical error. Likewise, a British writer may use afterward correctly.
Cambridge Dictionary identifies afterwards as the common U.K. form,
while its American materials also recognize afterward. The evidence supports an editorial preference rather than a rule that makes either spelling universally incorrect.
Which Form Should American Writers Use?
American writers should normally choose afterward. It matches common U.S. usage and will look most natural in American schoolwork, news writing, business communication, and website content.
For example:
- We reviewed the contract afterward.
- She sent a thank-you email afterward.
- The students discussed the results afterward.
Still, afterwards remains a real English word. A teacher or editor may change it to afterward to maintain an American style guide, but that edit reflects consistency rather than grammatical necessity.
Audience should guide the decision. If you write for a British publication, choose afterwards. If you contribute to an international organization, check its house style or study recently published material. When no guidance exists, select one form and retain it throughout the document.
How to Use Afterward and Afterwards in a Sentence
Both forms can appear at the beginning or end of a sentence. They can also appear within a clause, although some middle positions sound more natural than others.
At the beginning
- Afterward, we walked back to the hotel.
- Afterwards, they discussed what had happened.
This position creates a clear transition from one event to the next. It works well in stories, instructions, and chronological explanations.
At the end
- We walked back to the hotel afterward.
- They discussed what had happened afterwards.
The ending position often sounds most natural in everyday speech and straightforward prose.
In the middle
- We afterward learned that the event had been canceled.
- She afterwards admitted that the warning was correct.
These sentences are grammatical, but they may sound formal or awkward. In most modern writing, later works more smoothly in that position: “We later learned that the event had been canceled.”
Voice of America explains that both forms work like later when they describe a subsequent event.
However, after has several additional grammatical roles, so the words cannot replace one another in every sentence.
Do You Need a Comma After Afterward?
Use a comma after afterward or afterwards when the word begins a sentence and acts as an introductory transition:
- Afterward, we ordered dessert.
- Afterwards, the manager spoke to the staff.
The comma gives readers a brief pause and clearly separates the transition from the main clause. This style is especially helpful in formal writing.
You normally do not need a comma when the adverb appears at the end:
- We ordered dessert afterward.
- The manager spoke to the staff afterwards.
A comma may appear around the word when it interrupts a sentence. However, that construction often feels heavy:
- The manager, afterward, spoke to the staff.
A cleaner version would be “The manager spoke to the staff afterward.” Punctuation should support the sentence’s rhythm and clarity rather than follow a mechanical rule.
Afterward vs. After vs. Afterword
These terms look related, but they do not always perform the same job.
Afterward and afterwards
These are adverbs. They stand alone and refer back to an event or time that the reader already understands.
- We finished dinner and left afterward.
After
After can serve as a preposition, conjunction, or adverb. As a preposition, it needs an object:
- We left after dinner.
- Call me after the meeting.
As a conjunction, it introduces a clause:
- We left after the movie ended.
You cannot normally place afterward before a noun in the same way. “Afterward dinner” is incorrect.
Afterword
An afterword is a short concluding section placed near the end of a book or another written work. It is a noun, not a time adverb:
- The historian contributed an afterword to the new edition.
Therefore, “We went home afterword” is incorrect unless you mean that you went home following a book’s concluding section.
Formality, Tone, and Consistency
Neither spelling is inherently more formal. Both can appear in conversation, fiction, academic work, journalism, and professional communication.
Regional familiarity can still affect tone. To an American reader, afterwards may sound slightly British. To a British reader, afterward may look American. However, neither form is slang, outdated, or unprofessional.
Consistency becomes more important in edited work. Switching repeatedly between the two forms may look accidental:
- Inconsistent: We met afterward, and afterwards we went for lunch.
- Consistent U.S. style: We met afterward, and afterward we went for lunch.
- Consistent U.K. style: We met afterwards, and afterwards we went for lunch.
Repeating the word can still sound clumsy. A smoother revision might say, “We met and then went for lunch.” Good word choice involves clarity as well as correctness.
Common Mistakes and Corrections
The most common problems involve spacing, grammatical function, and confusion with afterword.
Mistake 1: Treating the form with s as incorrect
Incorrect claim: “Afterwards is not a real word.”
Correction: Afterwards is standard English, especially in British usage.
Mistake 2: Writing the word as two parts
- Incorrect: We spoke after wards.
- Correct: We spoke afterward.
After wards could only make sense if wards referred to hospital sections or people under guardianship.
Mistake 3: Using afterward before a noun
- Incorrect: We went home afterward dinner.
- Correct: We went home after dinner.
- Correct: We ate dinner and went home afterward.
Mistake 4: Confusing afterward with afterword
- Incorrect: The editor added an afterward to the book.
- Correct: The editor added an afterword to the book.
Mistake 5: Assuming the meanings differ
- Misleading: Afterward means much later, while afterwards means immediately later.
- Correct: Either form can refer to a short or long interval.
You can say “immediately afterward,” “soon afterwards,” or “many years afterward.” Other words supply the precise timing.
A Simple Way to Choose the Right Form
Choose the spelling by checking your audience, sentence structure, and existing style.
- Identify your audience. Use afterward for U.S. readers and afterwards for British readers.
- Check the grammatical role. Use either form when you need a standalone adverb meaning “later.”
- Look for a following noun. If a noun follows, you probably need after: “after lunch.”
- Check the document’s spelling. Follow the form already used by the publication or organization.
- Proofread for consistency. Search for both spellings before submitting your work.
A quick memory aid is: American English often drops the final s. This reminder also appears in pairs such as toward/towards. Still, use it as a regional clue rather than a universal grammar law.
Where Did the Two Forms Come From?
The two forms developed from the same linguistic family. Merriam-Webster traces afterward through Middle and Old English forms associated with being behind or following in time. It records both afterward and an older adverbial form that developed into afterwards.
The ending -ward expresses direction, as in homeward, upward, and toward. English also developed parallel -wards forms for several directional adverbs.
Modern English varieties did not preserve these endings with equal frequency. North American usage often favors forms without the final s, while British usage frequently retains it. Yet the pattern has exceptions. For example, forwards may describe direction, while forwards can also be the plural of the sports noun forward. Context remains essential.
FAQs
Yes, afterwards is grammatically correct in American English. However, most U.S. editors and readers prefer afterward without the final s. Using afterwards may give the sentence a British flavor, but it does not make the sentence ungrammatical.
Yes. Afterward can begin a sentence when it connects a later action to an earlier event. Writers commonly place a comma after it: “Afterward, we reviewed the evidence.” Without prior context, however, the reader may not know which event came first.
Afterward is one word when it means “later.” Writing after ward changes the structure and usually makes the sentence incorrect. The same rule applies to afterwards, which always appears as one word when used as the time adverb.
The words often overlap, but they are not identical in every context. Afterward points to a time following an established event. Then can show time, sequence, consequence, or a past condition, as in “If that happens, then call me.”
Yes, but the word alone does not specify how much time passed. “We left afterward” could mean immediately or much later. Add a modifier for precision: “immediately afterward,” “soon afterward,” or “several years afterward.”
Either spelling can work, but your organization should choose one English variety and apply it consistently. U.S.-based sites generally use afterward, while publications following British conventions usually use afterwards. A documented house style prevents uneven editing across multiple articles.
Conclusion
Afterward or afterwards are both correct and carry the same meaning: “later” or “after that.” For a general American audience, afterward is the safest choice. British writing usually favors afterwards, while other English varieties may use either form.
Remember that the difference reflects regional preference, not a change in meaning or formality. Check your audience, confirm that you need a standalone adverb, and keep the selected spelling consistent throughout your work.
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